This Bitter Earth
Jesse, an introspective black playwright, finds his political apathy called into question by his boyfriend, Neil, a white Black Lives Matter activist. In this intimate and poetic new play, the couple must reconcile their passions and priorities as they reckon with issues of race, class, and the bravery it takes to love out loud.
“This Bitter Earth” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
Content advisory:
Contains adult situations, strong and offensive language. May not be suitable for children under 13.
TALKBACK:
Join us on Sunday, April 11th at 5:30 PM PST/8:30 EST for a live talkback featuring playwright Harrison David Rivers, director Gregg T. Daniel, and actors Chase Cargill and Matthew Hancock, moderated by L. Trey Wilson. This event is FREE and open to all with no registration required and will be broadcast on our YouTube channel.
NEIL – Chase Cargill
JESSE – Matthew Hancock
Playwright – Harrison David Rivers
Director – Gregg T. Daniel
Associate Director – Darryl Johnson
Producer – Ray Paolantonio
Producer – Judith Moreland
Associate Producer – Blake Young-Fountain
Production Manager – Emily Jerez
Stage Manager – Maurie Gonzalez
Set Design – Brian Graves
Lighting Design – Derrick McDaniel
Sound Design – Yasmine El-Tayeb
Costume Design – Mary Jane Miller
Projection Design – Nick Santiago
Assistant to the Director – Christina Carlisi
Property Coordinator – Christine Joëlle
Intimacy Coordinator – Carly D. Weckstein
Fight Coordinator – Ken Merckx
Choreographer – Christina Carlisi
Social Media Producer – Dor Gvrtsman
“And it what may well be a first for L.A. intimate theater since a global pandemic left only the ghost light burning over a year ago, the Road Theatre Company’s 2021 season opener is exactly the production audiences would have seen live-and-in-person had theater as we knew it not come to a stand-still, stunningly designed, superbly directed, and brilliantly acted without a Zoom rectangle in sight.” – Steven Stanley, Stage Scene LA
“This is not a Zoom play with actors emoting from a box facing full-front… This Bitter Earth is comparable to recorded and broadcast shows like Broadway’s Hamilton or Carmen at the Met, but on, of course, a much more intimate scale.” – Paul Myrvold’s Theatre Notes
“A gorgeously written and epically moving story performed with depth and meaning and love by two wildly talented actors, “This Bitter Earth” is a homecoming for those of us that call theatre home. Bravo!” – Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros, NoHo Arts District
SUPPORT
Support for this program was provided through the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and the Office of Councilmember Paul Krekorian.
